FPCO Columns October 2009

8/14/2019 FPCO Columns October 2009

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C O N TA C T U S407.423.3441

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www.twitte.com/fpcoldo

www.facebook.com/rstpres

On The“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may

be enlightened in order that you may know

the hope to which He has called you, the

riches of His glorious inheritance in the

saints, and His incomparably great power for

us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19

WITH Dr. DaVID

Our pastoral sta had the privilege o attending the WillowCreek Leadership Summit this past August. Some o the

best Christian, civic, and corporate leaders came to share thei

lessons on leadership. One o the speakers who challenged me

the most was David Gergen, a man who has worked or our Presi

dents: Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton. As he discussed the les

sons that he learned rom each o those men, Bill Hybels asked

him, “What would you tell leaders today?” The rst part o his

answer was a bit surprising. He said, “Read. Good leaders should

read everything they can get their hands on to continue challeng

ing themselves to be their very best.”

I love to read, but that may not be true or some o you. Even soGod has provided a wealth o wisdom through inspired men and

women, and we need to take advantage o those gits. Paul prays

or the Ephesian Christians in the text quoted above. He asks tha

God would allow them to “know” several things. Interesting. To

day, we have come to believe the alse idea that Christianity is no

something we can actually know, but only have aith in. We can

know science. We can know literature. We can know the law, bu

we cannot know God in an absolute manner. Wrong.

Let me oer two books or you to read which deal with this

idea. The rst is by Dallas Willard entitled Knowing Christ Today

It may well be the best book I have read in the past ve years. He

debunks the myth that we cannot know God with certainty and

shows how Scripture, and the actions o God’s people, are always

driven by what they knew to be true. However, people cannot

know that truth unless they are taught – unless they can hear i

and learn it. This is the unique role o the church. We are called

to help people know Christ. That is our vision. We seek to know

and worship God.

Building on that, Britt Beemer, one o our members, and Ken

Ham have written an outstanding book on the current state o

youth and children in our culture entitled Already Gone. One o


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Way

the challenges they present is that many teens jettison their aith becausethey have never really been taught a solid oundation in Scripture. They do

not know the Word, and i they do not know It, how can we expect them to

live It? It is a stark reminder to parents, and to the Church, to be aithul in

our responsibility to “train up” our children. I sometimes sense a resigna-

tion among people that it’s somehow “too late” or the next generation to

nd the truth o God in Christ. Not so.

Carol Welker and Browning Wood are leading two o the most dynamic,

growing ministries in our church, and what are they? Ministry to Children

and Ministry to Students. We are grateul or their leadership and or the

dierence they are making in the lives o so many kids.

That said, let me encourage you to read . Read the Bible rst, and thenread other books that will help you in deepening your relationship with

God. I you don’t nd reading enjoyable, that’s ne. Read 10 pages a day.

You can do that. Pick solid material and read 10 pages a day. It’ll add up

over time, and you’ll learn to know the God in whom you trust! May God

continue to help us know Him, and I remain

In His Grip,

David D. Swanson

SWanSOn

Te vision of First

Presbyterian Church oOrlando is to empower

a diverse body of confessing believersto seek to know and

worship God, share Hiseternal love, and humbl

serve a broken world.



CrEATINg AWArm WElCOmEO ne o the most important things that happens on Sunday

mornings is the FIRST thing that happens: the way a

person is greeted and welcomed into our community. Whether

someone is a long-time member or a rst time guest, we want our

community o aith to be a warm and welcoming environment

where people can palpably know the grace and love o God.

The primary way that this happens is through our Usher and

Greeter Ministry. We are currently in the process o evaluating

everything about this dynamic, including recruiting new ush-

ers and greeters to help us serve on Sunday mornings. Are you

looking or a place to serve? Are you someone who is outgo-

ing, riendly, and warm? Are you someone who eels comort-

able reaching out to people you may not know? I so, WE NEED

YOU!

Larry and Jane McLean, along with Walt Parks, are now serv

ing as Co-Chairs o our Usher Team. They would love to hear

rom you. This month, we will be training our entire team in new

strategies that create a warm, riendly environment with a plan

to launch our new usher/greeter teams in January.

This is vital to our church’s continued growth, so please pray

about whether God may be calling you to serve in this way. I so

please contact Larry McLean at [email protected]. n



WE DID IT!

THE POWEr Of A SImPlE gIfT: OPErATIONCHrISTmAS CHIlD

F lash back or a moment and consider a past article

about the chil dren’s “Raise the Roo” endeavor. Remem-

ber Debbie Shawa, at Ng’ombe Presbyterian Church and School,raising $6,000 in a year? Is it

coming back to you? Good! We

are pleased to show you that the

circle is now complete!

Mrs. Shawa sent pictures to us

o the actual buildings that were

built with the Raise the Roo

unds this summer. Her thanks

were heartelt as they have been

able to complete their plans or

their church/school buildings.

Our children, with your support and encouragement, actually

have created opportunity or change or children in Zambia

Quite amazing! Yet isn’t God that way? Amazing!Even though the buildings

are complete, please don’t or

get Mrs. Shawa and her incred

ible work with these children

And please don’t orget the

children! Thanks to everyone

who supported us and mostly

thanks to God or putting this

opportunity beore us!

Millions o children around the world live in cir-

cumstances we could not even imagine. All theylong or i s t o k now that they a re loved. You can bring God’s

love to them in the simplest o gits…a shoe box. By lling it

with personal items school supplies and toys, you can tangibly

give love to a child desperately in need o hope. The boxes are

accompanied by evangelistic materials and ollow-up disciple-

ship programs. The shoe box is only the beginning. In act, the

Bible story book that goes in each box, is now written in more

than 70 languages. Because o Operation Christmas Child, many

children and their amilies have come to know Jesus Christ as

Lord.

Here’s what some children who’ve received boxes have said:

“I believe Jesus loves me and poverty is not a hindrance to my

dreams.” (Philippines)

“Learning more about Him encouraged me to keep going and

not to worry about the things that I don’t have.” (Paraguay)

“Thanks or the opportunity to give my lie to Jesus.” (Paki-

stan)

Please join us in bringing eternal hope to the children o this

world. And as you pack your box, pray or the child who will

receive it. Get involved and be amazed to see how God can use a

small git –your git – to touch a child’s heart.

Shoe Box Specifcs

Pack shoe boxes (cardboard or plastic) with small toys, schoo

supplies, hygiene items, and non-perishable candies. Think

about including a personal note to the child who will be receiv

ing the box.

Each box must be accompanied by a brochure. These will beavailable in the Angel Wing, Allen Hall, and EMC Welcome Cen-

ter starting Sunday, October 25.

Please include a check or $7 to help Samaritan’s Purse with

the shipping expenses.

Actual shoe box drop o will begin on Sunday November 8

Boxes may be dropped o in the Angel Wing on Sundays and in

the EMC Welcome Center lobby during the week. No boxes can

be accepted ater Sunday, November 22.

For inormation or questions, contact Carol Welker a

407.423.3441 x1490 or [email protected]. n

By Col Welke, Diecto of Childe’s Miisty

By Col Welke, Diecto of Childe’s Miisty

Photogph by Debbie Shw



THE WEEKDAYSCHOOl ‘grOWINgIN gOD’S lOvE’

The Weekday School has been a part o my am-

ily’s lie or the past eight years. My neighbor, Kathy

Cotton, introduced me to the Weekday School in 2001. This was

the year that my amily ound a treasure in a little preschool in

downtown Orlando.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart

be also” (Matt. 6:21). The Weekday School has lled our hearts

with the Lord’s unchanging love. It is a special place where you

see the Lord’s work at all times. From the sweet spirits o the

teachers, to the children who learn through play philosophy,

“Growing in God’s Love” has been the

Scripture o this heartelt preschool.

My husband, Paul, and I have seen

all three o our children, as well as our-

selves, grow in God’s love rom being a

part o the Weekday school amily. Sev-

eral months ago I was having a hard

and challenging day. It was late in the

aternoon and my emotions got the best

o me. I lay in my bed and cried or sev-

eral minutes. My youngest son, Johnny,

who was our at the time, came into my

room and saw me crying. He came to my

side, rubbed my back, and started sing-

ing, “Jesus loves me this I know, or the

Bible tells me so.” He kept repeating the

verse over and over. O course, this made

me cry even harder. I knew exactly where

my son had learned this sweet gesture. It

came rom his loving teacher, Mrs. Ammerman, a WDS teacher

who has blessed my son and many others throughout the years.

I asked my two daughters, Molly and Gracie, what they re-

membered best about the WDS. Molly said her riends and

how she learned to treat people nicely. Gracie remembered her

riends as well, and to be more like God. When the WDS doors

open, riends are instantly made. We have met amily riends

that will be a part o our lives orever. The moms that I have met

through the WDS have enriched my lie. They have been prayer

partners, taxi cab drivers, cheerleaders, personal ches, exercise

gurus, party planners, psychologists, and more! We have sup-

ported each other through cancer, loss o a grandparent, chil-

dren challenges, loss o jobs, and our own spiritual journeys.

One morning, my riend Debbie Worden and I were speaking

about the Weekday School. We met on the WDS board in 2003.

She made a comment, “Can you imagine our lives without the

Weekday School?” And I said,”NO!” It was, and still is, the

place where the Lord brings amilies together. It’s not only a

place that helps create riendships, but it also helps create a

relationship with the Lord.

My aith has grown into a more personal relationship with

Jesus rom having children. “‘For I know the plans I have or

you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm

you, plans to give you hope and a uture’” (Jeremiah 29:11). I

read this verse over and over when Paul and I wanted to start

a amily. I cried many tears wondering why God did not bless

us with a child on our timetable. With prayerul hearts, Paul

and I surrendered to the Lord and His plans prevailed. When I

was pregnant with my oldest daughter, Molly, and my youngest

child, Johnny, doctors told us that our unborn child could have

Down’s syndrome or Trisomy 18. Once again, we surrendered

and gave each child to the Lord’s will.

In 2004, at a WDS mother’s brunch, Dr. Tino, a ormer FPCO

pastor was the guest speaker. At the end o the brunch he asked

all expecting moms to stand up; I was

maybe ve months pregnant at the time.

He asked the other moms at the brunch

to lay their hands on the expecting moth-

ers. As he said his prayer or all o us

he mentioned that there was a mom that

really needed the Lord’s peace to get

through her pregnancy. At that moment

I knew that the Holy Spirit was speaking

through him to me. It was a WDS experi-

ence that will stay with me orever.

This tiny treasure o a preschool has

not only made me a better parent, but a

better wie, riend, and Christian. The

seeds that the WDS has planted in me

have helped me to understand that the

most important role as a parent is to lead

my children into a personal relationship

with Jesus Christ and give them the tools

they need to grow. The WDS has been a great partner in helping

me—and many other parents—instill values in our lives.

Not only do children grow in God’s love at the WDS, but par-

ents do too. My riend Catherine Ford shared with me that she

became a Christian because o the WDS. The newsletters rom

Donna Speer, the chapel lessons rom school, the women’s

Monday Bible studies, and the Cup o Christmas Tea were all

part o Catherine’s growth in accepting the Lord as her personal

Savior. The WDS nurtures parents as much as the children

The WDS will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. It

is bittersweet to know that my amily will be ending its journey

through the WDS in 2010. I would not change a thing. I would

not change any o the teachers that each o my children had, the

committees I was involved in, the Bible studies I learned rom,

or the WDS events we shared. It was God’s plan to have my am-

ily “Grow in God’s Love” at the Weekday School. n

By Lu Blstic, Membe

Photogph by rhiss Pke



THE HEArT Of THE CITY fOUNDATION

HONOrS ClIffOrD m. HAmES

HEArT BEATC liord M. Hames was a graduate o the public

schools o Decatur, GA, commencing during the De-

pression o the 1930s and concluding at the outset o World War

II. Following his public school

education, he attended Emory

University, secured a law de-

gree and graduated rom the

Rutgers School o Banking.

His career in banking took himrom the Trust Company o

Georgia in Atlanta to SunTrust

Bank in Orlando where he re-

tired as Vice Chairman o the

Board in 1989. Along the way

he assumed a number o other

positions o responsibility,

among which were board posi-

tions at Hughes Supply, Hub-

bard Construction Company

and Reedy Creek ImprovementDistrict. He was widely known

and highly respected as both

a banker and as one who was

active in enhancing the qual-

ity o lie in Central Florida.

Cli believed strongly in

the importance o education

and wanted everyone to have

the educational opportunity

aorded him. He was proud

o his public school heritage.He was humble in his aith

as a member o North Avenue

Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, where he

attended since childhood and where he and

Ann were married. Since moving to Orlando

more than 50 years ago, Cli and Ann have

been members o First Presbyterian Church

o Orlando.

Cli lived a aithul lie, and his Chris-

tian values continue to be passed down

through the generations o his amily. His children and many o

his grandchildren have been baptized and/or married at FPCO

Many attend church there, including his son and daughter-in-

law, Larry and Jane.

The Heart o the City Foun

dation (HOCF), established the

Hames Scholarship as a memo

rial to Cliord M. Hames who

died in 2003. This scholarship isone o many such unds admin

istered by HOCF. The unds are

established by individuals and

amilies to provide nancial as

sistance to those seeking higher

education as well as to those be

ing trained or the ministry o

Jesus Christ at seminaries across

the United States. Since the rst

scholarships were created in

1986, nearly $1 million has beendistributed as scholarship assis

tance rom the Foundation.

Recently, HOCF established

a Missions Endowment to sup

port capital needs o FPCO

Mission partners. In addition

HOCF manages a Facility Fund

to assist FPCO every year with

unbudgeted, emergency repair

needs on our campus. I you

are interested in establishing ascholarship und, contributing

to the Facility or Missions En

dowment, or in getting involved with Heart

o the City Foundation, please visit our web

site at www.orlandoheartothecity.org or

contact Amy Bishop at 407.423.3441 x1484

([email protected]).n

Photogph by The Studio



CAPTAIN rAI’S ‘fUTUrEgENErATION PrOjECT’ C

aptain Rai (pronounced “High”) is the captain o

the med ical missi on boat operated by the Presbyterian

Church o Manaus, FPCO’s 5,000 member sister congregation

in the middle o the Amazon rain orest. In partnership with

ormer FPCO associate pastor, Dr. Jonathas Moreira, and his or-

ganization, World Hope Missions Ministry, Captain Rai’s boat

travels on the Amazon River, stopping at dierent villages and

providing medical care to the people o riverside villages. Dr.

Moreira recently took a group rom our church on this mission

trip. Ater spending time with Captain Rai and his crew, we dis-

covered a very important need that Captain Rai has.

Captain Rai is the lay pastor o a small church started by the

Presbyterian Church o Manaus. Some time ago, as lay pastor,

Captain Rai was told about a 9-year-old girl being kept at the jail

in their community. He immediately went down to the jail and

was told that this young girl was there because she was being

used to sell and deliver drugs in the city. This sparked a call in

Captain Rai’s lie to start a project that ministers to the youth o

his community. He wanted to provide alternative ways or them

to spend their time so that they would not nd themselves in

harmul situations like that o the 9-year-old girl. So, Captain

Rai’s Future Generation Project came to be.

Today, 130 to 140 young people are a part o this project. In-

stead o taking certain youth to jail, the policemen bring them to

Captain Rai’s church. Their parents are called and urged to have

their child come each aternoon to be a part o this ministry.

Ater participating in Bible Study, the students are given the

opportunity to participate in dierent activities such as basket-

ball, volleyball, soccer, music, and dance. The students also join

other church members weaving shing nets. These nets are sold

in the community to specically provide nancial aid to Rai’s

Future Generation Project. They are constantly in need o sh-

ing line so that they can continue to produce these nets in order

to support the ministry.

Our congregation can help the Future Generation Project in

two specic ways. First, we can be in prayer or the leadership

o this ministry. While Captain Rai is on the medical mission

trips or most o the week, his ministry partner runs the Proj-

ect. Recently, Rai’s ministry partner was murdered by the drug

cartel in the community leaving Rai’s ministry without direct

leadership. Prayer or the loss o this man and new leadership

is most denitely needed. Second, we can help provide shing

line to make the nets that are sold to nancially support the Fu-

ture Generation Project. More shing line means more nets, and

more nets means more support.

God has clearly blessed Captain Rai’s ministry. As a result, the

youth and community are being transormed. We have the op-

portunity to help the Future Generation Project continue to grow

with our prayers, as well as our shing line contributions! For

more information about going to the Amazon or other local and

international mission trips, contact Amy Heck at 407.423.3441

x1474.n

aticle d photos coutesy of Julie Shiek, Studet Miisty

For october’s Bring

Your Heart to CHurCH

collection everyone is

asked to bring a spool

oF Fishing line For rai’s

Future generation

project. collection

bins will be located

in the eMc lobby and

angel wing on sundays

throughout the

Month oF october.

Julianne Shirek and Sarah Secik help Pastor/Captain Rai

navigate the Amazon.



gOD’S WOrKS ArESO AmAzINg TO SEEBy Sh Sefcik, FPCO studet d membe

This summer I had the privilege o traveling toMan aus , Brazi l wit h World Hope Missions Ministry to

be used or God’s purpose. FPCO sent a group o 18 people, pri-

marily rom First Presbyterian Church, or nine days to the Ama-

zon River to minister to our villages in Brazil. To accomplish

this, we boarded a two-story riverboat which would become our

home or the next six days.

Ater 22 hours o river travel, we arrived in the morning to the

rst village, Sao Benedito. While there, I visited a general store

where I shared my testimony with the owner. I was able to do

this because several translators went with us on the trip. That a-

ternoon, I helped with Vacation Bible School. At night, JulianneShirek and I sang during the worship service or the villagers.

This describes the typical day or the non-medical volunteers.

Even though I am only 15, I was given the opportunity to work

with a Brazilian dentist named Homao. While on this trip Ho-

mao saw 32 patients with 109 procedures. In the dental unit on

the boat, a nurse and I assisted Homao with suctioning, clean-

ing tools and handing over dental instruments. I really enjoyed

working with him, although I only spoke English while he spoke

Portuguese. The rst day was tough understanding him, but God

allowed me to quickly learn rom Homao and also teach him

some English phrases. My avorite memory rom working withHomao was when he lled my cavity so I was able to cancel my

appointment in Orlando!

We spent a lot o time traveling the river getting rom village

to village and it gave us a chance to see God’s creation in a way I

never imagined. When I signed up or this trip I thought that the

Amazon River was a narrow, long waterway with trees and vineshanging over the water. I pictured it inested with crocodiles and

anacondas. However, now that I have been there, I know that i

is a huge river, very wide, and sometimes you can barely see the

other side. There are ewer caimans (a mix between alligators

and crocodiles that can grow to be 27-eet long) and snakes than

I imagined. There were also many river dolphins. Every night a

sunset there was a dolphin show. It was better than Sea World. I

saw two, even three dolphins come out o the water side by side

making an arch. I also saw a pink dolphin fip in the air! [Pink

dolphins are only ound in the Amazon and are endangered]

God’s works were so amazing to see through nature and wildlie.

Not only did I see God outdoors, but I saw him everywhere else

I went. The devotions on the boat revolved around Christ, and

the people who led them were so on re or God. The missionar

ies, sta, and young adult volunteers o the Manaus Presbyterian

Church on the boat loved God with everything they had. Some

o them did not even receive an income or being there. They

worked out o love or God and trusted that He would always

provide. You could eel the presence o the Holy Spirit through

out the trip.

The Amazon Mission Trip has denitely been my avorite mis-sion trip out o the our mission trips I have been on. I could nev

er explain in words how amazing this trip was. I have already

decided that I want to go back or the ull summer beore my

senior year o high school. God worked miracles on this trip and

I know he will work many more through these experiences.n

Jonathas Moreira, ormer FPCO associate pastor and

ounder o World Hope Missions Ministry, enjoys the

view o the Amazon rom the top deck o the medical

mission boat with FPCO Mission Dino Dwight!

18 people rom FPCO pose in ront o the medical mis-

sion boat along with members o FPCO’s sister church,

the Presbyterian Church o Manaus, Brazil.


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T he Couples Sunday School class recently descended upon the

abode o homebound member, Helen Hannie, to put some Christian

love in action. Led by recent members, Brock and Nikki Kelsey, the class-members power

washed the driveway, cleaned windows, rearranged kitchen cabinets, raked fower beds, and played

along the way. Mrs. Hannie was so overjoyed with the attention that aterward she remarked to ellow

Questarian Sunday school class member, Dede Neusaenger, “I was having so much un I orgot to serve

the iced tea I prepared!” n

By D. Cse Thop, associte Psto foMissio d Evgelism



WHY I jOINED AlIfE COmmUNITYBy Pm d Dvid McComb, Membes

I n March, when Kent Sterchi, the Director o LIFE

Community, r st asked us i we would be willing to partic-

ipate in a new Lie Community “Turbo” group (where we would

be trained as “Shepherds” o a new LIFE Community group in

2010), we were very hesitant and not interested. We put Kent

o or several weeks and ater much debate agreed to go to the

meeting to hear about it. Even ater the meeting, we were not ex-

cited about taking another night out o our week. We have been

members o the church or more than 27 years and have been

involved in many dierent acets o it, including Bible studies

and other small study groups while being blessed by each one

o them. We weren’t sure that we wanted to make a commitment

o joining another group, but since we have always supported

ministries o the church, we agreed to give this a try and seek the

opportunity that was placed beore us.

We were told that this was not going to be the typical small

group Bible study that we were accustomed to, but that the con-

cept was or the group to “live lie together.” We were assigned to

a diverse group, which consisted o 12 members, ages 20 to 60,

our married couples, three single emales, and one single male;

some o whom we had never met beore. We originally thought

that this was going to be a neighborhood group, but our members

ended up living in dierent areas.

We meet in homes, a new one each month, with a pot luck din-

ner the rst week o the month and desserts the other weeks. We

begin our time together by socializing with one another and then

we hold a short devotional. Each time we have met, one person

in the group has given their lie story. Originally, being private

people, this was not a comortable situation or us and we could

see that others in the group were also hesitant to open up and

share. No one was pressured to share his or her lie story.

As our time together progressed, we could see something un

usual happening as each member took his or her turn sharing

their lie with the group. It became apparent that many o us

had more in common that we ever could imagine. Many tears

have been shed, many hugs have been given, and our love or

one another has grown. This has brought us closer together and

we have become a “amily” that loves and respects each other

There is a closeness that is hard to describe.

At one point near the end o one o our times together, Dave sa

back and watched as the other members were talking and laugh

ing with each other in little groups, just enjoying being together

He leaned over to Kent and said, “Look at this. Now I understand

this is what it is all about. I get it.” Kent just smiled.

We are now planning a service project together and are all ex-

cited about the opportunity to serve others in our community.

Joining a Lie Community Turbo group has been an unexpect

ed lie changing experience or both o us, and we are so look-

ing orward to shepherding a new LIFE Community in the year

ahead. We encourage you to consider joining a Lie Community

group in 2010 and begin “living lie together” and together being

a church to our city. You will be blessed. n



GrOWInGUP In OLD

OrLanDOBuckie allen WriTes a sTOry OfhOW piOneer OrlandO familiescarved a meTrOpOliTan ciTy frOma frOnTier village.

First Presbyterian Church Elder, Buckie, his wie,

Bettie, and their children, arrived in Orlando more

tha n ty year s a go as Buck ie esta blished The Allen Com-

pany, a wholesale pharmaceutical company. Much later, in re-

tirement, he became the author o ve published novels. His lat-

est book, Growing Up In Old Orlando, is a snapshot o Orlando’s

past. It’s also a story o perseverance, loyalty, humor, and love.

Buckie recalls one story in particular that refects the character

o many Orlando pioneers. During World War II, most Orlando

physicians were called into military service. During their ab-

sence Dr. Charles Collins, who was medically ineligible or mili-

tary service, cared or the younger doctors’ patients. When thewar ended and the doctors came home, Doctor Collins hosted

a dinner party at the Wyoming Hotel and presented the doctors

with checks or ees he had earned or treating the doctors’ pa-

tients.

“You know,” Buckie says, “many o the amilies I wrote about

in Growing Up are Presbyterians, but not all. Methodists, Bap-

tists, Episcopalians, Catholics, and other denominations are in-

cluded-all mirror the character o so many Orlando people; all

have a love o community.”

Buckie nods, “I watched ve senior ministers come to First

Presbyterian Church-all ne men. The rst was Bill Kadel, who

had married Bettie and me. When we were young, Bill and were neighbors in Tampa. We would sit bareoot in his backyard

on Saturday aternoon, smoke cigars, and tell each other yarns

Some olks are surprised to learn that senior ministers are mor

tals, but not me.”

To show his gratitude to the church and to the Orlando com-

munity or all they mean to him and his amily, Buckie donates

prots rom his new book to First Presbyterian Church o Orlan

do, as well as Grace Medical Home, and The Rotary Foundation

Books will be available or purchase in the EMC Welcome Center

and the Angel Wing on November 8 and 16. n

O a 1924

Picture Credit: Central Florida Historical Society


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YOUNg AT HEArTlUNCHEONSA ll o you who are “Young at Heart” (55-plus years

young) are invi ted to our monthly luncheons, which re-

sume this all. This is a perect opportunity to welcome those who

are young enough to enjoy the reedom to spend their time in so

many interesting ways and ellowship with others. It has been

said that some eel they just aren’t old enough yet…we say, bring

your energy and give this group a shot in the arm with your youth

and vigor…you’ll be happy you did!

Reasons you might want to come:

•Fellowshipwithothers •Meetnewfriends

•Funandlaughter

•Sharegoodtimes

•Learnaboutothereldtrips

Music and laughter are ingredients that contribute to making

the Young at Heart a time ull o pleasure. We are dedicated to

bringing together riends, encouraging them to bring a riend, and

making new riends along the way. We encourage your sugges-

tions or even more un and welcome helping hands to volunteer

to serve on the council. Fellowship begins at 10:30am, with the

program at 11:00am and lunch served at noon. Lunch will be

ered or $5 and that’s something to celebrate in these econom

times…what a great deal!

Speakers or Upcoming Luncheons

November 6 – Buckie Allen/FPCO – Discussing his new bo

Growing Up in Old Orlando

December 4 – Mark Terry – The Masters View o the MASTER

January 8 – Greg Dawson/Orlando Sentinel – Discussing his n

book Hiding in the Spotlight: a Musical Prodigy’s Story of Svival

February 5 – Sheri Kerney, Attorney – Board Certied Elder Ca

March 5 – Heritage Celebration – Heart o the City Foundation

April 9 – Dr. Kristen Carter – Health Care

May 7 – Chie Val Demings – Law Enorcement Initiative

COME JOIN IN THE FUN! Make your reservation by call

Linda McCallister, Congregational Lie at 407.423.3441 x1159 t

Monday beore the 1st Friday o the month. n

By Lid McClliste, Cogegtiol Life



neWs & nOTicesreiste Now o fPCO’s fa maiae reteatSo you think you can dance? Marriage can be quite a dance.Explore the richness that God intends or this sacred relation-ship. David and Leigh Swanson invite couples to learn thesteps to a healthy marriage, November 6-8, at The Mission Inn

in Howey in the Hills. This will be a weekend o spiritual ex-ploration, growth, healing, ellowship, un, and laughter; opento all couples, rom newlyweds to golden anniversaries. Reg-ister with a $100 deposit at www.pco.org/register. For moreinormation, contact 407.423.3441 x1451 or visit www.pco.org/marriage.

reiste o the “mane” Eent go TounaentThe Christ School returns to the beautiul Celebration Gol Course (Celebration, Fla.) or the 14th Annual “Mane” EventGol Tournament on Saturday, October 24. Please join us or aday o ellowship, great gol and undraising or this amazingK-8 school. Funds raised through the gol tournament allowThe Christ School to continue to attract excellent teachers,provide the latest in classroom technology and award nancial

assistance to those in need. To register, please contact TamiVais at 407.849.1665 or [email protected].

reiste Now o The Southwind midde Schoo reteatMiddle School students will be going to Southwind YoungLie Camp, located in the Ocala National Forest, rom Decem-

ber 11-13. Students will enjoy plenty o un activities whileenriching their aith. Register online at www.pco.org/registeror call Rachael Aldrich at 407.423.3441 x2350 or [email protected]. The cost is $150 i registered by October 26.

The geat Pupkin ChaseThe Student Ministry will be hosting a middle school studentscavenger hunt with a twist. The Great Pumpkin Chase will

be held on October 30 rom 5-7pm. Students will meet at thechurch at 5pm as we hunt downtown or the Great Pumpkin.A team o ve students and one parent will be needed to par-ticipate. Register online at www.pco.org/register. For moreinormation, call Rachel at 407.423.3441 x2350.

Conatuations to:Elisabeth and Chris Dunn, on the birth o their daughter, Han-nah Elisabeth Dunn, born August 25, 2009.

Christina Marie Ristorcelli and William Thomas Scott, mar-ried August 21, 2009 in the Reormation Chapel. William is theson o Mrs. Iris Scott.

Barbra and James “Jimbo” Speer, on the birth o their daugh-ter, Brooke Caroline Speer, born August 18, 2009.The proudgrandparents are Donna and John Speer.

Ally and Nick Klee, on the birth o their daughter, Alyssa Ma-rie Klee, born August 11, 2009.The proud grandparents areLinda and Wally Klee.

Nicole Michelle Bishop and Joseph Andrew Dant, married on July 18, 2009 in the Reormation Chapel.

Sypathy to:To Chris and Becky Bolan on the death o his ather, Joe Bolan,on August 15, 2009. Mr. Bolan was the grandather o DanielBolan.

To Denise and Michael Hammond on the death o her ather,

Bill Hartzog, on August 11, 2009. Mr. Hartzog was the granda-

ther o Lydia and Elliott Hammond.

To Melissa and Justin Ramb on the death o her grandmother,Mary Love Egerton, on August 19, 2009. Mrs. Egerton was thegreat-grandmother o Emma Grace and Annalee Ramb.

To the amily and riends o Eleanor McBride, who died Au-gust 22, 2009.

To Una Redwine on the death o her husband, Philip Redwine,on August 24, 2009. Mr. Redwine was the ather o Sylvia Red-wine.

To Sherry & Ed Davis on the death o her sister, Marnie Tuttle,on August 25, 2009.

To Sara Norris on the death o her husband, Dr. Frank Norris,on August 26, 2009. Dr Norris was the ather o Gloria Salesand Gray Norris, the grandather o Grayson Sales Merritt,

Jonathan Sales and F. Gray Norris IV; and great-grandather o Jackson and Tristan Merritt.

To the amily and riends o Leon Blackburn who died August28, 2009. Leon was a security guard or many years at FPCO.

To Martha Jones on the death o her son, Robert Keith “Bo” Jones, on August 28, 2009.

To the amily and riends o Marian Alsman, who died August30, 2009.

To Cindy and Walt Chambers on the death o her mother, JimR. Quick, on August 30, 2009.

To Brenda and Jerry Botts on the death o their daughter, Bri-anna Botts, on September 3, 2009. Brianna was the sister o

Ashley Steed.To Phyllis and Ernest Wells on the death o his brother, DeweyWells, on September 7, 2009.

To Rebecca and Mike Bedell on the death o her sister, NancyCordes, on September 7, 2009.

August ’09 Giving Snapshot

General Contributions Budgeted Surplus/

Operating (Defcit)

Aug. Gits $447,189 $434,800 $12,389

Fiscal Year-

to-date Gits $862,650 $850,600 $12,050

Line o Credit $ 150,000

Immeasurably More Outstanding Balance $4,179,446

IM Aug. Gits $68,885

IM Fiscal Year-to-date Gits $107,930

(net o 10% tithe to Missions)

Contact Finance or a ull revenue & expense summary.

www.fpco.o


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Documents

FPCO Columns October 2009